Senate Votes to Ban Gun Confiscations

Largely unnoticed in the Senate's passage of the Homeland Security Appropriations Bill for FY 2007 (H.R. 5441), was the inclusion of an amendment effectively prohibiting the confiscation of legally owned firearms during declared emergencies or major disasters, like Hurricane Katrina.

The amendment, submitted by Sen. David Vitter (R-Louisiana), states, in full: "None of the funds appropriated by this Act may be used to temporarily or permanently seize any firearm during an emergency or major disaster (as those terms are defined in section 102 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5122)) if the possession of such firearm is not prohibited under Federal or State law, other than for forfeiture in compliance with Federal or State law or as evidence in a criminal investigation."

Sen. Vitter's amendment was approved by a vote of 84-16. The Senate passed the Homeland Security Appropriations Bill, including Sen. Vitter's amendment by a vote of 100-0.

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